Hair-donation drive attracts some brave students

At La Jolla High School, Kianna Andari, 16, looks on as her is cut by Jessica Barnes. Andari was among the large group of students who donated their hair to make free wigs for cancer patients who have lost their hair through chemotherapy. Andari had 8 inches of her hair cut off.
— Nelvin C. Cepeda / Union-Tribune

At La Jolla High School, Kianna Andari, 16, looks on as her is cut by Jessica Barnes. Andari was among the large group of students who donated their hair to make free wigs for cancer patients who have lost their hair through chemotherapy. Andari had 8 inches of her hair cut off.
— Nelvin C. Cepeda / Union-Tribune

Kianna Andari (right) looks at her cut hair stored in a ziplock bag after Jessica Barnes gave her a free haircut. The cut her will be donated and used to make wigs for cancer patients.
— Nelvin C. Cepeda / SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE

Kianna Andari looks on as her is cut by Jessica Barnes. Andari was among the large group of students who stopped at the school's gym to donate their cut hair to make free wigs for cancer patients who have lost ...
— Nelvin C. Cepeda / SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE

At La Jolla High School, a large group of students and the public stopped by the school's gym to receive free haircuts and donate their cut hair to make free wigs for cancer patients who have lost their hair through ...
— Nelvin C. Cepeda / SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE

Point Loma  The La Jolla High School sophomore bit her bottom lip as 8 inches of hair fell from her head with a few quick snips.

“It feels lighter,” said Ardis Zhong, 15, as she held the severed ponytail like a souvenir before placing it in a plastic bag that will be mailed off to be woven into a wig for cancer patients.

Ardis was the first to lose her locks Wednesday at the 2010 San Diego Hair Donation event, where students and members of the community donated hair for wigs used by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Hair wigs can cost $1,200 or more.

“I realized that being able to grow out my hair was one thing I took for granted,” Ardis said.

Ardis organized the event that contributed to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths organization, which needs at least six ponytails to make one wig. There are a few requirements to donate: Hair cannot be dyed or permed; no more than 5 percent of the hair can be gray; and at least 8 inches must be handed over.

Students from Paul Mitchell School of Hair Design in San Diego cut the hair for free.

Although Ardis was hoping to break a Guinness record for most hair collected for charity in 24 hours, the event fell about 850 donors short. The Mississippi Institute for Aesthetics, Nail and Cosmetology holds the record of 881 donors and 107.4 pounds of hair shorn on May 21, 2007.

No matter.

“For me, the world record isn’t the main thing,” Ardis said. “Whether or not we break it, I think it’s going to be a really rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

Nearly 60 percent of women undergoing chemotherapy lose their hair, according to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths website. Nancy Mercurio, 56, of La Jolla said her mother lost her hair twice during chemotherapy. Her mother, Oneta Deleo, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 and she died a year later. Mercurio’s donation was in memory of her mother.

Mercurio is Brazil’s ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Mercurio said wearing a natural wig was comforting for her mother, who took pride in her appearance.

“It’s very important to people not to stand out,” Mercurio said. “They already have some things that might make them stand out a little bit, like the color of their skin and how they’re feeling.”